Shell Factory to install zip line

Installation expected to be completed by April 1

February 25, 2014

The Shell Factory already has many fun attractions, and by the end of next month, it expects to have yet another.

The Southwest Florida attraction is adding a zip line, which will allow visitors to take an exciting ride with a unique view of the grounds from atop.

Rick Tupper, marketing director, said the idea came about last year when owners Tom and Pam Cronin went to a vendor show and saw a demo of the ride and thought it would be a great idea.

"It seemed like something that would fit with our summer business that would carry us through the slower months," Tupper said. "It goes along with our tag line of family entertainment destination."

The Soaring Eagle Zipline is a two-person ride that will take off near the paddle boat area, over the pond and parking lot to the dog park, stop and then come back. You leave backward and return forward, and it takes between two and three minutes to complete the ride, Tupper said.

"It goes out at about 20 mph and comes back at about 28 mph. It's a real fun ride and the first in Florida of its type," Tupper said. "We're looking to bolster the summer with a younger demographic."

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The price will be $16 a couple, or $8 per person, Tupper said, adding that, when operational, it will be observable from U.S. 41, which could generate curiosity and bring in new visitors.

Construction has begun where the Water Wars attraction was. The ride is expected to completed by between mid- March and April 1.

The hope is that it will be finished in time for the Shell Factory's St. Patrick's Day celebration, but more likely for the tail end of snowbird season and in plenty of time for Taste of North Fort Myers on April 27 and the Motor Mania motorcycle event planned for May 4.

There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled when the completion date becomes more certain.